South Burnett Regional Council has maintained its policy of providing a 10 per cent discount for “early bird” ratepayers.
“Although Council has considered this from many angles, Council will again provide a 10 per cent discount to all ratepayers who pay their rates within 30 days of rates being issued,” Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said.
“Due to the massive decrease in funding from the State and Federal government, Council was forced to look at every possible means to make up for the loss,
“After much debate it was decided that the efficient ratepayers in our region needed to continue to be rewarded for paying early.”
Finance spokesman, Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell said councillors were keen to reward people who paid their rates early.
“The 10 per cent saving can really make a difference to a family’s budget or to a pensioner,” he said.
“This year we have a mission to retrieve any outstanding and overdue rates, so it made sense to continue to reward those who do the right thing and pay their rates in a timely manner.
“If people are genuinely struggling to pay their rates and they contact Council in a timely fashion, our Finance Department will negotiate a payment plan with the ratepayer.”
Toowoomba Regional Council offers a similar 10 per cent discount. Gympie Regional Council offers a 5 per cent discount
